The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-01-26
A LEGISLATIVE TUMULT.
Wild Scenes of Disorder in the
New Jersey Assembly.
A Struggle for Possession Of the
Speakers GaVel

A Trenton IN. J.) special gives the follow
ing details Of tho terrific and extraordinary
scenes of disorder which prevailed at the
opening of the Assembly, and which culmi-
mated in almost free fight forpossessiou of
the Speakers gavel:
Twenty:six Republicans, three Democrats,
and two Labor men organized the Assembly
here to-day by electing William Baird, Of
Warren county, Speaker: Joseph Atkin-
son, Labor Democrat, of Newark. Clerk:
son, Sergeant-at-Arms, and other officers di-
vided between the two parties The incl
dents of the occasion were somewhat ANNA
ted Half an hour after the proper hour for
opening the session the tho Republican
members stormed THO Assembly cham
ber, where the Democrats were hold.
ing caucus. A squad of police, acting
tho chamber and forcibly removed those
persons pointed out by the officers of the
Democratic caucus, including tho Clerk
and Sergeantat-Arms Of the last
House, who were present to assist
in the opening Of the new session., rs
we'll rs some of the reporters. The police
then guarded the chamber while the Dom
ocratic Asiemblymen refused to permit
the organization to proceed unless the
i
their caucus was over. The Repubi-
cans thereupon withdrew to the Speak
er's room in tho rear of the Assembly
chamber, and were accompanied by Donohle
and Carroll, the Labor men. and Wolvertor,
Arnwine and Baird of the Democrats, ma :
ing thrty-one in oil, just q majority,
in the little back ROOM Tie
doors were then locked, and tile
Democrats with tho police still on guarl, pr"-
alo1, ,,ifh boir
meantime proceeded to organize for them
selves, the officers they elected being boosted
in TO them through high window, the only
means of acceSs to the room.
When The Democrats knocked on the do r
and informed the Republicans that the can-
cas was ovor, and they could enter the large
room, the Rcpublicans marched in. and the
officers they had ele ted took their places and
attempted to proceed with business ju t
where they had left off in the Speakers
room.
Tho Democrats were thunderstruck and q
riot at onco hogan. They declared James ;.
Beckwith temporary Chairman, and lie
rushed to tho desk. A terrific struggle fo!-
lowed between Beckwith and Baird for the
possession Of tho gavel, members on
both sides rushing forward to join in
tions filled the chamber. The dense crowd
in tile galleries howell and swore. Franz
McDermott, member from Newark, shook
his fist across TIL, desk in BairsPs face, and
threatened to put bullet through him If he
didn't get out Of the chair.
The Speakers secretary was knocked or
tho high daiS and his chair smashed. Some
cool-hoad moved TO adjourn until to morrow,
and both Baird aud Bockwith declared tie
House adjourned. The excitement was SUBJ
siding when tho police again entered the
chamber, and ono Of them seized Sergeant
alarms Mcdonald and attempted to eject
him. There was q terrible struggle i'll
the arena in front of the Speakers desk,
which ended in the policeman retiring with.
ont his man. About this time the crowd
outside burst open the doors and surged into
the chamber, but the members dropped hos
tilities, and comparative order was soon re-
store;l, although it was an hour before the
chamber was cleared.
The Republ: an Senators, pending the set
tlcmcnt of the trouble in the House, refused
to organize the Senate, and the election OF
United States Senator is thereby postponed
ono week, or until three weeks from to-day.
The trouble arose from the refusal of the
three Democrats above named to unite with
the remainder in the organization Of the
Assembly, their refusal being based on the
claim that they had not been recognized in
the apportionment Of the oHces. AS the
Assembly is close the three Democrats and
two Labor men, by uniting with the Repuli-
canS were in the ma Ority,